13. Welcome to Hogwarts

The First years were quickly sorted and then unusually the food didn't appear but Dumbledore arose from his seat. It seemed to all the students that he was going to do his speech before dinner instead of afterwards which was strange. "Now we are all settled and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well, you see Hogwarts has been chosen" Filch who had been running towards Dumbledore now reached him and whispered in his ear. They murmured quickly to each other and Filch set off running back down the hall. "So Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event the Triwizard tournament" Fred and George turn to each other and say "Brilliant". "For those of you who do not know" Dumbledore continues "the triwizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear if chosen you stand alone trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted but more of that later. For now please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons academy of magic and their headmistress Madame Maxime". As he spoke the doors of the Great Hall opened and a stream of the most beautiful and elegant women waltzed in. The whole male population of the hall stared in awe as these slim tall girls dressed in matching blue dress and hats danced up the centre aisle. Hermione was sat opposite Ron and could see the appalling look he was giving them. He could atleast shut his mouth rather than gawking at them. "Bloody hell" said Ron as she watching their bums wiggle away from him. As the group of girls reached the end of the aisle they did their final sigh and magical blue birds flew up and away from them. "Blimey that's one big woman" said Seamus as the headmistress Madame Maxime wandered past. She was a half giantess and towered over the children sat at the tables. In front of her a young looking girl was acrobatically approaching the staff table and an older girl who was clearly her sister twirled down the aisle. All of the Beauxbatons girls bowed as the Hogwarts students applauded. Dumbledore walked alongside Madame Maxime and kissed her hand. Many of the boys wolf whistled as the girls sat down. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and couldn't believe the way the boys were acting. Dumbledore once again went to the front of the Great Hall and began to speak "And now our friends from the north please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their high master Igor Karkaroff". Again the Great Hall doors opened and the boys from Durmstrang walked in they held sticks which they hit against the ground causing sparks to fly from it. The three front guys stopped in a line and twirled their long sticks. They then ran up towards the teachers table and flipped over and did what looked like break dancing as the other students of Durmstrang walked upward the aisle and lined the sides of the walls. Viktor Krum walked past Filch which agression in his eyes. You could tell he was here to win. He was accompanied by the high master Igor Karkaroff who wore a white coat which distinguished him from the students. "Blimey, its him. Viktor Krum" spoke Ron who stared at Viktor as he charged past him. He was more in awe with being in the presence of Viktor Krum than he was with the Beauxbatons girls bums. As they approached the front a fire dragon or phoenix was created next to Dumbledore. "Albus" said Karkaroff as he reached Dumbledore and gave him a hug. The gryffindor table was a buzz with excited talking about the triwizard tournament. Almost every boy thought they should be the Hogwarts champion. A golden statue was placed at the front of the hall and once more Dumbledore spoke "Your attention please. I'd like to say a few words" as he placed his hand upon the golden statue he said "Eternal glory that's what awaits the student who wins the triwizard tournament but to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks." Hermione heard Fred and George say wicked. She hoped they didn't put themselves forward, she couldn't stand one of her friends being hurt or even worse dying. Dumbledore continued "For this reason the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. to explain all this we have the head of the department for magical cooperation Bartemius Crouch" the ceiling began to create lightning frightening the students as they lowered them selves almost into their plates of pudding. Suddenly a man stepped out of the shadows and shot a spell upwards. It returned the enchanted ceiling back to its previous form. Ron immediately recognised him as mad eye moody. Hermione for ever a stickler for proper naming asked " Alastor Moody, the famous Auror" "Auror" asked Dean Thomas. "Dark wizard catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are filled cos of him" said Ron "Suppose to be mad as a hatter though these days. Moody moved around the platform and was greeted by Dumbledore. "After due consideration" began Mr Crouch "the ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of 17 should be allowed to put forth their name for the triwizard tournament. This decision is final." He was met with loud boos and angry comments especially from the Weasley twins who in anger said " That's rubbish. You don't know what you're doing". Hermione was glad if none of her friends could put themselves forward then none of them could get hurt. Even if it did anger Fred and George. Dumbledore quickly silenced the hall. With a wave of his wand the golden statue melted before their eyes and revealed a large Goblet with blue flames coming out of the top. "The goblet of fire. Any one wishing to enter the tournament need only put their name upon a piece of parchment and place it in the fire before this hour on thursday night. Do not do so lightly if chosen there is no turning back. As of this moment the Triwizard tournament has began."

That evening the school was alive with chattering of the goblet of fire and who was going to enter the Triwizard tournament.